Bar ends yay or nay?

[retrobiker273891]

I got into MTB in probably mid 90s when they were just becoming all the rage.

I see in the intervening quarter century they are now shunned.

Is there any practical reason for either their use or descent from popularity?

In other words did they have any practical benefit even when they were trendy and/or is there any valid reason not to use them now?

For reference my bike I want to make it a hill climbing specialist. I have read bar ends are specifically good for this, that was the original idea I remember too. Is there anything to that or was it just hype? I seem to recall them helping somewhat to pull up hills but was no expert and may have just been the cool factor that made me feel like they were working.

Are the benefits negligible or worth adding? I see they are still used on modern touring bikes so some people must find them of some use?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Bar ends allow you to turn your hands into a better position for pulling, and draw you forward on the bike.

Good for climbing, speed, touring.

As suspension got longer, bars got wider and higher, meaning bar ends would be in the wrong place.

Longer travel mtbs are better at descending, technical riding and bike parks.

 

[retrobiker273891]

Bar ends allow you to turn your hands into a better position for pulling, and draw you forward on the bike.

Good for climbing, speed, touring.

As suspension got longer, bars got wider and higher, meaning bar ends would be in the wrong place.

Longer travel mtbs are better at descending, technical riding and bike parks.

What is it that one is pulling when climbing? Aren't you rather pushing into the front wheel, or is it a case of both pull and push?

I just had a quick look at for sale and they were going for £25 which seems rather pricey for out of vogue 2nd hand items which are just a couple of bits of metal. Probably the same price they were new back in the 90s!

Also regarding shape is there much to be gained beyond the simple straight ones?

I remember I had big L shaped ones in the 90s but I am not sure if there was much benefit to the other angle beyond the 90 degrees of the initial attachment.

 

[R-V]

They can be useful when turning the bike upside down, to protect shifters. Riding in bushes they can provide some protection to your hands. Also useful when carrying stuff in plastic bags you bought in the shop. I like them, as they offer comfortable position to rest, i just use the corner part quite often where they are attached to the bars. Some conservative folks stating they are not giving the appropriate looks on riser bars, but that can be negotiated.
some people hate them, and their first move is to remove those, but i think they have the right to remain or fitted in many cases. Of course they are not for weight weenies, as they mean extra grams.
There is only one real negative effect, when bikes fall on them, they are likely to damage the ends of the handlebars they are fitted on.
There were handlebars with the shape of a bullhorn, though, where you had them anyway, as a feature, integrated. These had the advance that the corner was round, which can be found comfortable for some too..

 

[R-V]

What is it that one is pulling when climbing? Aren't you rather pushing into the front wheel, or is it a case of both pull and push?

I just had a quick look at for sale and they were going for £25 which seems rather pricey for out of vogue 2nd hand items which are just a couple of bits of metal. Probably the same price they were new back in the 90s!

Also regarding shape is there much to be gained beyond the simple straight ones?

I remember I had big L shaped ones in the 90s but I am not sure if there was much benefit to the other angle beyond the 90 degrees of the initial attachment.

They can be helpful in pulling, as weight on the front wheel is reduced when pulling, and provide a more upright position. They vary in shapes from the short straight racing ones to the long oversized touring bits.
I think if you are launching a wanted thread here, you can be karma'd tons of them in various shapes, no need to buy them.

 

[pete_mcc]

They are a mid nineties thing, so not period correct on earlier bikes

Moots introduced theirs in 1985 and Onza theirs in 1989, so not really a mid 90s thing. I remember using welded steel Onzas from 1990 onwards, initially the wedge ones and later the cinch ones

 

[Once A Hero]

Bar ends allow you to turn your hands into a better position for pulling, and draw you forward on the bike.

Good for climbing, speed, touring.

As suspension got longer, bars got wider and higher, meaning bar ends would be in the wrong place.

Longer travel mtbs are better at descending, technical riding and bike parks.

Agreed.
Wouldn't use them on a modern bike due to change in geo, but they certainly enhanced an early 90's usability. I'd change the style fitted dependant on the race course.
Simple straight bar ends for climbing. X-Lite stubbie Pros were my bar end of choice.
L shaped bar ends for long periods of flat riding where you could assume a more comfortable riding position. Specialized Dirt Rodz worked in this instance.

 

[R-V]

Moots introduced theirs in 1985 and Onza theirs in 1989, so not really a mid 90s thing. I remember using welded steel Onzas from 1990 onwards, initially the wedge ones and later the cinch ones

Thanks, edited my post

 

[benjabbi]

Was it just me who found they get in the way? They interfere with where I want my hands to be on the bars. They were handy on climbs but I think it was more that they helped open the chest up for easier breathing when blowing out of your arse on a climb, than pulling up. Wider bars do this naturally anyway. They look cool on the right bike.

 

[hamster]

The pulling action is really when climbing out of the saddle. I ride with them on my singlespeed where they make all the difference.
To the OP, you have been talking all the time about ultra-low gears for climbing so there won't be much need.